Fred Holberg Obituary Fred Duane Holberg Surry - Fred Holberg, 90, quietly passed away, early Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Harbor View Emergency, Suffolk, Virginia. Native of Missouri Valley, Southwest Iowa, Fred's Tom Sawyer-ish boyhood with big brother Bob was a bitter-sweet blend of growing up beside Superhighway 66 and the upper edge of the Great Depression Dust Bowl. Memories of observed want amongst peers and constant preoccupation with personal and family livelihood were tempered by elevating stories of familial support in dire times, communal gatherings, fairs, and harvests, and gestures of everyday generosity by farmers and townsfolk towards each other. Although he learned early the necessity of labor before most reward, he never forgot his favorite maxim, which was to "have fun every chance you get". Fred's father and family rode the wave of financial salvation in 1942 to war-time work as a machinist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and permanent residency in Portsmouth, Virginia. Upon graduating Old Churchland High School, '44, Fred enlisted CO 808 (A-8), Camp Perry, USN. He honorably served, 3rd class, primarily on the USS Zaniah (AG-70) in the American Arena, Asian-Pacific Campaign and a year of Occupation Service. He returned to family and perfected metalcraft until, at 22, with partner Grady Justice, he opened United Sheet Metal Works ("heating, ventilation, blow-pipe, general sheet metal works") in rented warehouse space on Portsmouth's Glasgow Street. Once sole proprietor, Fred's next few decades were perhaps his most rich and fertile: marriage to his life partner, Anne; establishment of residency with large vegetable gardens and bass pond in Western Branch; the birth of his daughter, Kristin; and permanent location of an ascending, reputed United Sheet Metal, Inc. first to Chautauqua, and then Virginia Avenues. He anxiously persevered through threats by Camille, recessions, and Carter stagflation until his shop was recognized as one of the best of its type in the country and, along with Metro Machine, Corp. awarded "national small business prime contractor of 1981". He was still serving our armed Naval forces in his individual way. Fred refused to retire until he achieved a golden 50 years of business ownership, after which he quietly lived all but his last few weeks in the home he built, overlooking Lower Chippokes Creek and Chippokes state Park in Surry, Virginia. His attendance to wife, Anne, in her final years of Parkinson's Disease was a testament and example of faithfulness and discipline. This worthy member of The Greatest Generation will be sorely missed by remaining loved ones for the quiet affection and stability he offered so many friends and family members. We pray for Gods eternal peace and reward for his lifetime of labor and simple belief in Christ as a boy and hope for joyful reunion with the many who have gone before and wait to welcome him. Fred is most notably preceded in death by Mary Anne Kitchin, wife of 58 years, parents Alfred (Fred) John and Eva Graybill Holberg, and brothers Robert Louis and Earl John Holberg. Survivors of his memory include his daughter, Kristin Anne Holberg, sister-in-law, Paige Kitchin Lane and Cassandra Kitchin Deloatch Gray, brother-in-law, James Matthew Kitchin and wife Jamie, nephew Robert Holberg and wife Rebecca, niece Diana Holberg, nephew Eric Holberg, niece Julie Lane Deans and husband Mark, nephew Michael DeLoatch and wife Jane, nieces Melanie DeLoatch and Christy DeLoatch, nephew Todd Kitchin, niece Holly Kitchin, Caspar and husband Kenny and numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. The family will gather at the Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, 5685 Lee Farm Lane Suffolk, VA at 2 p. m. on Friday, December 30, 2016, for a private viewing. At 2:45 p. m. the family will proceed to the graveside service, being held at 3:00 p. m., with U. S. Navy Honors in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk, VA. Condolences may be registered at BakerFoster.com. Fred Holberg Obituary (2016 - 2016) - Suffolk, VA - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchNameFredHolberg&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/fred-holberg-obituary?id11133041 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/Fred-Duane-Holberg/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Narrative Summary of the Obituary Fred Duane Holberg, 90, passed away on 18 December 2016. A native of Missouri Valley, Iowa, he was known for his dedication to family and business. He served in the U.S. Navy and built a successful career in metalwork, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and community support. # Narrative Summary of Funeral Services The family gathered for a private viewing at Baker-Foster Funeral Home in Suffolk, VA, before proceeding to the graveside service on 30 December 2016. Fred Holberg was laid to rest with U.S. Navy honors in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk, VA. # The Edited Obituary ## Fred Holberg Obituary ### Fred Duane Holberg Surry - Fred Holberg, 90, quietly passed away early Sunday, 18 December 2016, at Harbor View Emergency, Suffolk, Virginia. Native of Missouri Valley, Southwest Iowa, Fred's Tom Sawyer-ish boyhood with big brother Bob was a bittersweet blend of growing up beside Superhighway 66 and the upper edge of the Great Depression Dust Bowl. Memories of observed want amongst peers and constant preoccupation with personal and family livelihood were tempered by elevating stories of familial support in dire times, communal gatherings, fairs, and harvests, and gestures of everyday generosity by farmers and townsfolk towards each other. Although he learned early the necessity of labor before most reward, he never forgot his favorite maxim, which was to "have fun every chance you get." Fred's father and family rode the wave of financial salvation in 1942 to wartime work as a machinist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and permanent residency in Portsmouth, Virginia. Upon graduating Old Churchland High School, '44, Fred enlisted CO 808 (A-8), Camp Perry, USN. He honorably served, 3rd class, primarily on the USS Zaniah (AG-70) in the American Arena, Asian-Pacific Campaign and a year of Occupation Service. He returned to family and perfected metalcraft until, at 22, with partner Grady Justice, he opened United Sheet Metal Works ("heating, ventilation, blowpipe, general sheet metal works") in rented warehouse space on Portsmouth's Glasgow Street. Once sole proprietor, Fred's next few decades were perhaps his most rich and fertile: marriage to his life partner, Anne; establishment of residency with large vegetable gardens and bass pond in Western Branch; the birth of his daughter, Kristin; and permanent location of an ascending, reputed United Sheet Metal, Inc. first to Chautauqua, and then Virginia Avenues. He anxiously persevered through threats by Camille, recessions, and Carter stagflation until his shop was recognized as one of the best of its type in the country and, along with Metro Machine, Corp., awarded "national small business prime contractor of 1981." He was still serving our armed naval forces in his individual way. Fred refused to retire until he achieved a golden 50 years of business ownership, after which he quietly lived all but his last few weeks in the home he built, overlooking Lower Chippokes Creek and Chippokes State Park in Surry, Virginia. His attendance to wife, Anne, in her final years of Parkinson's disease was a testament and example of faithfulness and discipline. This worthy member of The Greatest Generation will be sorely missed by remaining loved ones for the quiet affection and stability he offered so many friends and family members. We pray for God's eternal peace and reward for his lifetime of labor and simple belief in Christ as a boy and hope for joyful reunion with the many who have gone before and wait to welcome him. Fred is most notably preceded in death by Mary Anne Kitchin, wife of 58 years, parents Alfred (Fred) John and Eva Graybill Holberg, and brothers Robert Louis and Earl John Holberg. Survivors of his memory include his daughter, Kristin Anne Holberg, sister-in-law, Paige Kitchin Lane and Cassandra Kitchin Deloatch Gray, brother-in-law, James Matthew Kitchin and wife Jamie, nephew Robert Holberg and wife Rebecca, niece Diana Holberg, nephew Eric Holberg, niece Julie Lane Deans and husband Mark, nephew Michael DeLoatch and wife Jane, nieces Melanie DeLoatch and Christy DeLoatch, nephew Todd Kitchin, niece Holly Kitchin, Caspar and husband Kenny, and numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. # Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Fred Duane Holberg | |---------|-----------------------------------------| | Age | 90 years | | Birth | 1926 (estimated); Missouri Valley, Iowa | | Death | 18 December 2016; Suffolk, Virginia | # Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |---------------------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------| | Fred Duane Holberg | Decedent | Surry, Virginia | | Anne Holberg | Spouse | Surry, Virginia | | Alfred (Fred) John Holberg | Parent | Unknown | | Eva Graybill Holberg | Parent | Unknown | | Kristin Anne Holberg | Child | Unknown | | Robert Louis Holberg | Predeceased Brother | -- | | Earl John Holberg | Predeceased Brother | -- | | Mary Anne Kitchin | Predeceased Spouse | -- | | Paige Kitchin Lane | Sister-in-law | Unknown | | Cassandra Kitchin Deloatch Gray | Sister-in-law | Unknown | | James Matthew Kitchin | Brother-in-law | Unknown | | Robert Holberg | Nephew | Unknown | | Rebecca Holberg | Nephew's Wife | Unknown | | Diana Holberg | Niece | Unknown | | Eric Holberg | Nephew | Unknown | | Julie Lane Deans | Niece | Unknown | | Mark Deans | Niece's Husband | Unknown | | Michael DeLoatch | Nephew | Unknown | | Jane DeLoatch | Nephew's Wife | Unknown | | Melanie DeLoatch | Niece | Unknown | | Christy DeLoatch | Niece | Unknown | | Todd Kitchin | Nephew | Unknown | | Holly Kitchin | Niece | Unknown | | Caspar | Niece | Unknown | | Kenny | Niece's Husband | Unknown | # Other Relevant Information 1. Fred Holberg was born in Missouri Valley, Southwest Iowa. 2. He grew up during the Great Depression and learned the importance of labor and community support. 3. Fred served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, primarily on the USS Zaniah (AG-70). 4. He co-founded United Sheet Metal Works at the age of 22 and later became the sole proprietor. 5. Fred was recognized as a leading figure in his industry, with his business awarded "national small business prime contractor of 1981." 6. He was a lifelong resident of Surry, Virginia, where he built a home overlooking Lower Chippokes Creek and Chippokes State Park. 7. Fred was known for his dedication to his family, particularly in caring for his wife, Anne, during her battle with Parkinson's disease. 8. He was a member of "The Greatest Generation" and left a legacy of hard work and community involvement.